Download control - Clallam County

NOXIOUS WEEDS IN CLALLAM COUNTY
MEADOW KNAPWEED
(Centaurea jacea x nigra)
Because meadow knapweed is a hybrid its characteristics are highly variable. Intermediate forms
between brown knapweed (Centaurea jacea) and black knapweed (Centaurea nigra) can occur and can
retain their intermediate form for several generations.
Meadow knapweed grows 20 to 40 inches tall. The upright
stem branches about half way up.
The leaves at the base of the
plant are lance-shaped, up to
six inches long and
undivided. The stem leaves
are smaller and stalkless.
The flower heads are solitary at the ends of branches.
The flowers, which bloom from July to September, are rose-purple in color, but
occasionally white.
The seedlings are tap-rooted and can form dense mats. The seedling leaves are
lance-shaped and have a net-like pattern of veins. They can be slightly toothed.
The bracts, which occur at the base of the flower head, have a fringed margin. The fringe is
about equal in width to the body of the bract, and is more apparent on the outer bracts.
Meadow knapweed bract
Bracts are modified leaves, usually near a flower. In most knapweed species the bracts form a cup-like structure that supports the flower
head. Some knapweeds are similar looking and differences in the bracts can be an important way of distinguishing species.
Threats:
Meadow knapweed is an aggressive and invasive species that invades pastures and meadows, displacing
forage plants but having little value as forage itself.
Meadow knapweed is a Class B designate weed in Clallam County.
Control is required county-wide.
Lookalikes:
At least six other knapweed species occur in Clallam County; all of them could be mistaken for meadow
knapweed. They are listed below, together with some key differences.
Brown knapweed (Centaurea jacea):
Because brown knapweed is one of the parents of meadow knapweed, and because
intermediate forms exist, distinguishing the plants can be difficult. The bracts are
the best identifying feature.

Brown knapweed bracts are rounded and hairy with
papery margins; the bracts of meadow knapweed are
more elongated in shape, and have fringes all around,
which are approximately equal in width to the body of
Brown knapweed bract
the bract.
Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa)



Diffuse knapweed has a branching stem and a ball-like appearance;
meadow knapweed does not.
The leaves of diffuse knapweed are divided; meadow knapweed leaves are
not.
 The flowers of diffuse knapweed are usually white,
occasionally pink to lavender; the flowers of meadow
knapweed are usually rose-purple, occasionally white.
The bracts of diffuse knapweed have spines at the edges and tip;
the bracts of meadow knapweed have fringes, not spines.
Diffuse knapweed bract
Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens):


The basal leaves of Russian knapweed are about three inches long and are
divided into lobes; the basal leaves of meadow knapweed are up to six inches
long and are not divided.

The flowers are lavender-blue to pink; meadow knapweed
flowers are usually rose-purple, occasionally white.
The bracts are green and do not have fringes; meadow knapweed
bract are brown and have fringes as wide as the body of the bract.
Spotted knapweed (Centaurea biebersteinii):


Russian knapweed bract
The leaves of spotted knapweed are divided into lobes; meadow knapweed leaves
are not divided.
The bracts of spotted knapweed have a black spot on the tip, giving
the plant its name. This spot is not present on meadow knapweed
bracts.
Spotted knapweed bract
The four lookalikes listed above are all weedy species and control of them is required by state law. The
remaining two, although they are not native, are not listed as noxious weeds.
Montana knapweed (Centaurea montana):
 The leaves have an extension that looks like a wing growing down
the stem; meadow knapweed does not have this.
 The flower heads are large—up to two and a half inches across;
the flower heads of meadow knapweed are about an inch across.
 The flowers of Montana knapweed are usually blue; meadow
knapweed are usually rose-purple, occasionally white.
Bachelor’s button (Centaurea cyanus)
 The flowers of bachelor’s button can be white, blue, pink, purple or red, and they are
smaller than meadow knapweed flowers.
All of our thistles (Canada thistle, bull thistle and the native, edible thistle) look a little like meadow
knapweed, but they all have prickly leaves; meadow knapweed does not.
History:
Meadow knapweed may have been introduced into British Columbia through contaminated alfalfa seed.
Its earliest recorded sighting in Washington was in 1923, in San Juan County. There are several major
infestations of meadow knapweed in Clallam County including areas around the Lyre River, the Elwha
River (Olympic Hot Springs Road), and Burnt Hill (near Happy Valley Road). Hundreds of small
clumps or single plants dot roadsides and mark its spread around the county. It prefers moist sites and is
found mainly west of Port Angeles.
Ecology:
 Meadow knapweed grows mainly on moist sites—irrigated pastures, moist meadows and riparian
areas, similar to those occupied by oxeye daisy
 It is a perennial plant, growing from a woody root crown.
 Reproduction is mostly by seed, but the crown can resprout.
CONTROL
Prevention and early detection are the best means of control!
 Practice good pasture management; avoid overgrazing, irrigate and fertilize as needed, and reseed
bare ground. A healthy pasture will resist weed invasion.
 Use weed free hay and seed; avoid bringing in weed contaminated soil.
 Clean equipment that has been used in infested areas.
 Revegetate disturbed areas quickly to prevent infestation by meadow knapweed.
 Remove seedlings when young; newly established plants can usually be pulled without leaving root
fragments in the ground.
 Replant newly weeded areas with desirable (preferably native) plant species, that will discourage
reinfestation.
 Dispose of weeds properly, bag or burn seed heads or fragments that may resprout.
 Monitor the site for several years; promptly remove new seedlings.
HANDPULLING/DIGGING works best when the soil is moist. This method can be time
consuming because the root system may be extensive; it may only be effective for new or small
infestations.
MOWING will slow, but not stop the spread of knapweed. Plants that are periodically mowed
continue to flower and produce seed on shorter plants, prolonging the season of growth and
flowering.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL: Two gall flies, Urophora affinis and Urophora quadrifasciata, a moth,
Metzneria paucipunctella, and a beetle, Shenoptera jugoslavica, have been introduced into North
America for biological control of knapweeds.
HERBICIDES can be effective, but should always be applied with care. Do not apply herbicides over
or near water bodies. Read the label to check that you are applying an herbicide in the right place, to the
right plant, at the right time, and in the right amount.
 Selective herbicides such as Curtail (2,4-D + clopyralid), Stinger (clopyralid) are effective, but
consult the label for crop rotation restrictions before using either of these. Several crops may be
injured up to four years after application of the herbicide.
 Roundup (glyphosate) is also effective on meadow knapweed, but it is non-selective and will kill
other plants also, including grasses that might outcompete knapweed seedlings. Application of
Roundup should be followed by revegetation.
None of these herbicides will prevent germination of weed seeds already in the soil, so monitoring and
retreatment are necessary.
Warning: Meadow knapweed often grows close to water and any herbicide application near or over
water requires a permit and a specially licensed applicator.